Please join us tomorrow at 10 a.m. or 7 p.m. in the Adult Sunday School Room to pray for America. We will have a guided, informal time of prayer in a group (or groups) for approximately 45-60 minutes. Come and lift up your prayers vocally or silently.
The National Day of Prayer as we know it was established by Congress in 1952 and celebrated on the first Thursday in May. President Harry S Truman signed the law originally, and every president since has signed a proclamation encouraging Americans to observe this day and pray for the nation.
Confirmation Day of Fun
Last Wednesday evening Pastor McMinn and the Confirmation students and their families enjoyed a break from their rigorous studies to have some fun at Cool Springs. The group bonded over friendly competition on the driving range and enjoyed a pizza dinner.
Please keep our Senior Confirmands, Joshua Cimarolli and Jonathan Tarrant, in your prayers as they prepare for their final examination and then Confirmation on Sunday, May 21.
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Church Anniversary—Looking Back, Looking Forward
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Pastor McMinn spoke this past Sunday about the 61st Anniversary of the dedication of the Sanctuary. What a joyful time it must have been to cross the threshold of those double doors along Patterson road and enter the newly dedicated sanctuary to hymns of praise. Do any of you have memories to share from that day? Lorelei Colucci shared a memory she had of her Sunday School class meeting in between the rows of canned goods at the Ruthfred Market during the construction phase of the sanctuary in 1961 and 1962.
The 75th Anniversary Planning Committee, under the direction of Becky Evans, has begun meeting. Be on the lookout in future communications for ways in which you can share your memories and get involved in this milestone celebration.
As we remember with grateful hearts the many ways our church has grown and evolved over the past 75 years, let us also look forward to continued spiritual growth and the hope we have in Christ.
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This Week at Ruthfred
Monday (5/1) St. Philip & St. James, Apostles
9:30 a.m.—Craft & Sew
7:00 p.m.—Elders’ Meeting
Tuesday (5/2)
7:00 p.m.—Worship Team
7:00-9:00 p.m.—VBS Decorating
Wednesday (5/3)
5:45 p.m.—Children’s Choir
6:45 p.m.—Senior Confirmation Class
7:00 p.m.—Senior Choir
Thursday (5/4)
10:00 a.m.—National Day of Prayer Observance
7:00 p.m.—National Day of Prayer Observance
Friday (5/5)
7:00 a.m.—Men’s Prayer Group (Fireside Lounge)
Happy 91st Birthday, Martha Schneider
Sunday (5/7) 4th Sunday after Easter
8:30 a.m.—Holy Communion
9:45 a.m.—Fellowship Breakfast
11:00 a.m.—Holy Communion
Noon-ish—Parents’ Date Night Planning Meeting
6:00 p.m.—Holy Communion
City Mission Food Sunday
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Announcements Recap
Known to be hospitalized: Joanne Salvetti—Magee Women’s Hospital. Caryl Hansen—now at Paramount Senior Living, Room 328. Virginia DiSalvo (internal bleeding). Please support them with your prayers and cards.
Prayers for Recovery and Healing: Sylvia Fitzgerald—broken leg. Amy Jones (Al Malone’s daughter)—broken pelvis. Her address is 1216 Valley St., McKees Rocks, PA 15136. Carol McDowell—knee replacement. Abby Stutzman—autoimmune disorders. Bob Bohaski is now home recovering from his recent surgery. Lundy Castro (Jen Carlson’s father)—his cancer continues to spread. Erna Jochum—Concordia Health Center Room 283. Please keep them in your prayers, as well as all those in the Ruthfred family who are facing health or other challenges.
Condolences: Our pastor and congregation extend Christian love and sympathy to Margery Schell and her family on the passing of her husband, Fred, our faithful organist since 2012, on Friday, April 21, 2023. Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Condolences: Our pastor and congregation extend Christian love and sympathy to Marie Wilmer’s family. Marie, who had been a member at Ruthfred since 2000, passed away in Hilliard, OH, on Thursday, April 20, 2023. Please keep the family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
New Member Class: Many people have expressed interest in joining Ruthfred lately, so we’d like to schedule another New Member class to begin soon. If you, or someone you know, is interested in joining Ruthfred or in attending a New Member class (current members are allowed, and even encouraged, to do so), please contact Melissa Bostaph (contact information on back of bulletin) to let her know.
Meals on Wheels Collection: Our neighbors at Meals on Wheels, located at Grace Lutheran Church in South Park, need bottled salad dressings. Donations will be accepted until June 4th. Their preferred purchase places are Aldi’s or The Dollar Store. Please place these items in the appropriate bin outside the kitchen. They are grateful for any donation! If you have any questions, please contact Carol Ward. Thank you!
VBS 2023: Dates are July 24-28. The theme this year will be “Twists and Turns.” Come and learn how following Jesus will help you through life’s twists and turns. Registration is open at: https://www.myvbs.org/RuthfredLutheran/. This link allows parents to register their children for this fun event and also allows volunteers to sign up to help make VBS a success! Please note that all volunteers age 18 and older must have current clearances in order to serve with children and youth at VBS, Sunday School, and youth events. Clearances are good for 5 years. Contact Felicia Rieck in the church office for more information.
VBS Decorating 2023: This year decorating will be an in-house project. We meet each Tuesday, 7-9 p.m. on the stage in the Fellowship Hall. (No meeting on May 9.) These meetings will continue until the decorations are completed. Please consider supporting this important ministry. If you have any questions, please contact Jason or Donna Weighley.
College Graduates: It is that time of year when we want to recognize our graduates. Please let us know (via email to sallyondrejko@ruthfred.org) of any college or graduate school students who will be graduating this Spring. Please include name of student, name of college, date of graduation, and degree. We will be highlighting these students in future bulletins.
High School Graduates: Ruthfred will celebrate our high school graduates on Sunday, June 11th. We hope you are able to join us that day to receive a blessing from the church as well as a special, personalized gift.
Save the Date—Parents’ Date Night: Mark June 16th in your calendars for this event! This is a babysitting event and parents get to go out and have fun!!! We play games, sing songs, have a Bible lesson, feed the kiddos dinner, and have a snack while watching a movie. There will be a short planning meeting following the 11:00 service on May 7th for those interested in helping.
Open Church Council Position: The position of Secretary is currently open. The primary duty is to record minutes from the monthly meetings. If you have an interest in serving in this capacity, please contact Mark Riley, Council President, at markriley@ruthfred.org.
Special Congregational Meeting
A special congregational meeting has been requested and will occur on May 9th at 6:30 p.m. in the church sanctuary. The agenda will consist of an executive briefing by our attorney that will provide additional context to the January 15, 2023, congregational letter, an elder-led discussion addressing congregational concerns submitted to the council by the members who requested the meeting, and a discussion of council actions and plans to improve and strengthen our child protection policies and procedures. A letter of meeting notification and agenda will also be mailed to all members of the congregation.
